Tools to remove front bumper? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**mikey531** · 09-27-2013, 06:13 AM

I found a perfect chrome front bumper on a 72 GMC in New York. I was working and didn't have time or tools to remove it. My truck is in the body shop so I don't have access to it. What I need is what size wrenches do I need to take it off. I am taking a sawzall as a last resort but would rather unbolt it. Is it easier to unbolt the bumper or unbolt the brackets from the frame. It does have an old plow frame so that is in the way too. Thanks for any help.

slikside · 09-27-2013, 10:42 AM

Not with my truck right now, but just installed a front bumper a couple months ago. IIRC, the nut size is 3/4". The bolts are carriage, so you don't need two wrenches at a time to break loose. I would bring a wrench (or two), sockets w/ extension, and ratchet, and a breaker bar if you have one, along with a hammer and wd-40 or some such other penetrant. Pulling the brackets vs. the bumper is an interesting idea, but the 2 upper middle brackets I think may be more difficult than the bumper itself, but might be a possibility. I think it will depend on which nuts/bolts are most cooperative (remember, there is ALWAYS 1 that won't at all!

), and which are easiest for you personally to "get to". Good luck.

In The Ten Ring · 09-27-2013, 02:14 PM

I've never done it, nor had to, but I might suggest a small propane torch to apply heat to the nut just in case. Heat is the most effective way to remove any rusted nut.

WEAR SAFETY GLASSES ANYTIME YOU'RE UNDER A VEHICLE.

I had a piece of rust (a big one) land right in my eye once....never again baby!

Good luck.

I'm a bit biased as I used to work for ZEP but I've found ZEP 45 and ZEP's Twister to be extremely effective as "break free."

68gmsee · 09-27-2013, 02:40 PM

3/4 inch on mine also. Remove the outer brackets and bumper as one assembly. Take a 1/2 ratchet, a breaker bar if you have one or cheater pipe, a 3/4 inch box end or a deep socket to hold the nut.

Take a can of penetrating oil. Soak the bolts real good and take the outer bracket bolts off at the frame (one each side). Take the front two bolts off each frame rail.

If you try to take just them bumper, you may have trouble accessing the small front bracket nuts.

*Mister-B* · 09-27-2013, 02:57 PM

Buy the biggest, longest breaker bar you can find. Unbolt the brackets from the frame.
Posted via Mobile Device

Sklptrljay · 09-27-2013, 07:58 PM

Bumper bolts S-U-C-K!

Listen to every one here and bring penetrant, cheater bars, and a torch. I would bring a grinder as a last resort.

**HIGHWAY BY THE SEA** · 09-27-2013, 08:44 PM

You may also need a hydraulic jack. As bizarre as this may sound I once had to use one to undo a bumper bolt on my Jeep J10 truck. The nut would not turn for anything, so I turned my crescent wrench to a downward 45 degree angle with the top end attached to the nut, then set the jack under the bottom end, then used the jack to lift upward onto the crescent wrench bottom end so that it was pushing it up and thereby loosining the nut. The entire rear of the truck lifted two feet off the ground before the sheer weight broke loose that nut and the rear came crashing down!!! Strange I know, but it worked!!!

PanelDeland · 09-27-2013, 10:00 PM

I'll suggest a nut splitter if you can.I like PB Blaster or Kroil penetrating oil,but have heard good things about acetone and tranny fluid in a 50-50 mix.If you have a 3/4 breaker bar and cheater,that might be handy.

**mikey531** · 09-28-2013, 05:44 AM

The torch will be a problem a lot of dry grass in the junk yard. I do have PB Blaster and a 3/4 drive set, a jack, jack stands and a sawzall. How many bolts are on the frame brackets. I wish I had looked at mine before I dropped it off. Anyone have any pictures?

68gmsee · 09-28-2013, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikey531

The torch will be a problem a lot of dry grass in the junk yard. I do have PB Blaster and a 3/4 drive set, a jack, jack stands and a sawzall. How many bolts are on the frame brackets. I wish I had looked at mine before I dropped it off. Anyone have any pictures?

Check my post above..

**mikey531** · 09-28-2013, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68gmsee

Check my post above..

sorry read it too quickly Thanks !

turp mcspray · 09-28-2013, 01:39 PM

Don't forget bandaids, for your busted knuckles, and some soap to wash the cuss words out of your mouth!

09-27-2013, 06:13 AM	#1
mikey531 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Exeter, NH Posts: 795	Tools to remove front bumper? I found a perfect chrome front bumper on a 72 GMC in New York. I was working and didn't have time or tools to remove it. My truck is in the body shop so I don't have access to it. What I need is what size wrenches do I need to take it off. I am taking a sawzall as a last resort but would rather unbolt it. Is it easier to unbolt the bumper or unbolt the brackets from the frame. It does have an old plow frame so that is in the way too. Thanks for any help.

09-27-2013, 10:42 AM	#2
slikside Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Diego Co. Posts: 1,193	Re: Tools to remove front bumper? Not with my truck right now, but just installed a front bumper a couple months ago. IIRC, the nut size is 3/4". The bolts are carriage, so you don't need two wrenches at a time to break loose. I would bring a wrench (or two), sockets w/ extension, and ratchet, and a breaker bar if you have one, along with a hammer and wd-40 or some such other penetrant. Pulling the brackets vs. the bumper is an interesting idea, but the 2 upper middle brackets I think may be more difficult than the bumper itself, but might be a possibility. I think it will depend on which nuts/bolts are most cooperative (remember, there is ALWAYS 1 that won't at all!), and which are easiest for you personally to "get to". Good luck. __________________ 1972 Chevy C-10, SWB, Fleet, 350/350, PS, PB, HEI, mostly stock, Survivor.

09-27-2013, 02:14 PM	#3
In The Ten Ring Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: West Virginia Posts: 6,427	Re: Tools to remove front bumper? I've never done it, nor had to, but I might suggest a small propane torch to apply heat to the nut just in case. Heat is the most effective way to remove any rusted nut. WEAR SAFETY GLASSES ANYTIME YOU'RE UNDER A VEHICLE. I had a piece of rust (a big one) land right in my eye once....never again baby! Good luck. I'm a bit biased as I used to work for ZEP but I've found ZEP 45 and ZEP's Twister to be extremely effective as "break free."

09-27-2013, 02:40 PM	#4
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: Tools to remove front bumper? 3/4 inch on mine also. Remove the outer brackets and bumper as one assembly. Take a 1/2 ratchet, a breaker bar if you have one or cheater pipe, a 3/4 inch box end or a deep socket to hold the nut. Take a can of penetrating oil. Soak the bolts real good and take the outer bracket bolts off at the frame (one each side). Take the front two bolts off each frame rail. If you try to take just them bumper, you may have trouble accessing the small front bracket nuts. __________________ 68 GMC 250/3 speed Saginaw p/b p/s 69 Chevy 350/350 currently in pieces still lookin for a cab 06 Trailblazer I just want a vehicle that I can work on, that won't talk to me, leave error msgs or keep track of how I drive...

09-27-2013, 02:57 PM	#5
Mister-B Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 3,332	Re: Tools to remove front bumper? Buy the biggest, longest breaker bar you can find. Unbolt the brackets from the frame. Posted via Mobile Device

09-27-2013, 07:58 PM	#6
Sklptrljay Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Stillwater, Oklahoma Posts: 874	Re: Tools to remove front bumper? Bumper bolts S-U-C-K! Listen to every one here and bring penetrant, cheater bars, and a torch. I would bring a grinder as a last resort.

09-27-2013, 08:44 PM	#7
HIGHWAY BY THE SEA Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: BY THE CAROLINA SEA Posts: 922	Re: Tools to remove front bumper? You may also need a hydraulic jack. As bizarre as this may sound I once had to use one to undo a bumper bolt on my Jeep J10 truck. The nut would not turn for anything, so I turned my crescent wrench to a downward 45 degree angle with the top end attached to the nut, then set the jack under the bottom end, then used the jack to lift upward onto the crescent wrench bottom end so that it was pushing it up and thereby loosining the nut. The entire rear of the truck lifted two feet off the ground before the sheer weight broke loose that nut and the rear came crashing down!!! Strange I know, but it worked!!! __________________ FRANKENTRUCK 1981 Chevrolet C10 Shortbed Stepside GRANDTRUCK 1968 Chevrolet C10 Stepside Longbed http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=584617 PROJECT JIGSAW 1967 GMC C3500 GREAT WHITE 1986 Blazer M1009 454 engine w/700R4 transmission gas conversion

09-27-2013, 10:00 PM	#8
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	Re: Tools to remove front bumper? I'll suggest a nut splitter if you can.I like PB Blaster or Kroil penetrating oil,but have heard good things about acetone and tranny fluid in a 50-50 mix.If you have a 3/4 breaker bar and cheater,that might be handy. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

09-28-2013, 05:44 AM	#9
mikey531 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Exeter, NH Posts: 795	Re: Tools to remove front bumper? The torch will be a problem a lot of dry grass in the junk yard. I do have PB Blaster and a 3/4 drive set, a jack, jack stands and a sawzall. How many bolts are on the frame brackets. I wish I had looked at mine before I dropped it off. Anyone have any pictures?

09-28-2013, 01:39 PM	#12
turp mcspray Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Rapid City South Dakota Posts: 2,359	Re: Tools to remove front bumper? Don't forget bandaids, for your busted knuckles, and some soap to wash the cuss words out of your mouth! __________________ Turp Mcspray New life for an old 2wd, farm blazer http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=505987 My Blazer build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342299



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